Bidvest Foodservice Hosts Food & Drink Collaboration Event

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Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead MSP was joined by Robin Gourlay of the Scottish Government’s food policy team to help showcase how companies across Scotland have been working together to develop the availability and distribution of Scottish products.

The event – entitled Collaboration Works – partnered Bidvest Foodservice with local suppliers and and foodservice operators including Cobbs Bakery and CalMac Ferries, and organisations such as Scotland Food & Drink and VisitScotland.

Bidvest Foodservice Scotland’s John Forteith explained: ‘We strive to create collaborative working relationships across the industry, to help drive awareness and promote the development and distribution of local Scottish products.

‘As a leading wholesaler in the UK food industry, we believe we have an integral role to play and we’ve put in place a dedicated resource to ensure local products can reach a wider customer base.’

Speakers from across the industry were then given a tour of the facilities at Newbridge, followed by a Scottish-themed buffet featuring several quality local products, from smoked venison to red onion marmalade from Puffer Foods, hand-made on the island of Easdale.

Janie Neumann, VisitScotland Industry Development Manager, was keen to demonstrate how the organisations has been working with suppliers to create a foodie experience for visitors to Scotland: ‘Food and drink is an integral part of the tourism experience and it’s fantastic, particularly during this Year of Food and Drink: ‘It was also encouraging to hear how Cobbs, as a food producer, Bidvest as a distributor, and Calmac as a foodservice provider are working together to meet the growing expectation of visitors for quality Scottish food and drink experiences.’

Following the event, Richard Lochhead MSP highlighted the importance of Food and Drink to Scotland’s economy, commenting: ‘Scotland’s booming food and drink industry is already worth around £14bn a year to the Scottish economy, and has smashed its growth targets years ahead of schedule.

‘However, I believe we have only scratched the surface of what is possible, and that’s why I have challenged Scotland Food and Drink to explore options to help everyone involved in the sector reap the benefits of joint working and maximising links to boost growth in the industry.

‘By working more effectively together and building on our strengths, we will be able to seize upon the even greater success that is within our grasp as Scotland journeys towards becoming a Good Food Nation.’